Bestselling author and international political expert Joel C. Rosenberg tackles the question: Is America an empire in decline or a nation poised for a historic Renaissance? America teeters on a precipice. In the midst of financial turmoil, political uncertainty, declining morality, the constant threat of natural disasters, and myriad other daunting challenges, many wonder what the future holds for this once-great nation. Will history's greatest democracy stage a miraculous comeback, returning to the forefront of the world's economic and spiritual stage? Can America's religious past be repeated today with a third Great Awakening? Or will the rise of China, Russia, and other nations, coupled with the US's internal struggles, send her into a decline from which there can be no return? Implosion helps readers understand the economic, social, and spiritual challenges facing the United States in the 21st century, through the lens of biblical prophecy.

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About the Author

Joel C. Rosenberg is a New York Times bestselling author with more than 2.5 million copies in print. An evangelical Christian, he is the cofounder and president of the Joshua Fund, providing humanitarian relief in Israel. As a communications strategist based in Washington, D.C., he has served as a senior advisor on two U.S. presidential campaigns and an aide to some of the world’s most influential leaders in politics, business, and the media. A front-page Sunday New York Times profile called him a “force in the capital.” He has also been profiled by the Washington Times and the Jerusalem Post, has been interviewed on ABC, CNN, FOX, MSNBC, and the History Channel, and has addressed audiences all over the world, including at the White House, the Pentagon, the U.S. Capitol, and the European Union Parliament.
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Most helpful customer reviews

Having been a favorite author of mine this book unfortunately was too much of a Republican party line that ties the need to be the worlds policemen to the economy of the US. Rosenberg's explanation of why he switched from being a Democrat to a Republican would make you think that only the abortion issue is the distinguishing issue for Christians to consider as opposed to a whole series of social /health issues that I think many Canadian Christians might believe Christ would also consider important. If I had known so much of this book reiterated the old Right Wing party lines I would not have purchased this book.

Most Helpful Customer Reviews on Amazon.com (beta)

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342 reviews

225 of 232 people found the following review helpful

Will grab your attentionJune 12 2012

By
Reader
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover

Joel Rosenberg, author of nine New York Times bestselling books, writes his most comprehensive and personal work in his newest book, Implosion. The question addressed is: "Can America recover from its economic and spiritual challenges in time?" Implosion is a well-written, easily understandable treatise of Rosenberg's end time theology, political expertise, historical study, economical research, and biblical perspective.

What this book isn't: It isn't a rant on the government. It isn't simply his opinion. It isn't a sensational doomsday approach. It isn't narrow-minded. And most importantly, it does not leave the reader without hope.

In an honest, thorough, and credible voice, Rosenberg challenges the Church, individuals, and government officials in ways that have potential to reshape our future and, thus, the future of the entire globe. As much as he shows the planet is headed in a gloomy direction, he also gives reason for doable optimism if we accept the challenge immediately.

Rosenberg states when his points are speculative. However, in supporting those speculations with facts, statistics, and current events, each of the scenarios becomes plausible. The four scenarios Joel believes "could make America unable--or unwilling--to play a key role in the unfolding prophetic events of the last days are:* Economic Implosion--The United States implodes financially and economically.* War or Terrorism--The United States is devastated by a surprise military or terrorist attack or series of attacks.* Natural Disasters--The United States is devastated by an unprecedented series of natural disasters.* The Rapture--The United States suddenly loses millions, or tens of millions, of people when the Rapture happens, leaving the rest of the American people devastated and triggering any number of cataclysmic events." (p. 127).

The facts--unreported by the mainstream media--will grab the reader's attention.

It is critical that this book is read by as many people as possible while we still have opportunity to make choices for the future.

(I am a freelance reviewer and was given a review copy of this book with the understanding I would give objective feedback.)

104 of 108 people found the following review helpful

Essential argument for our tumultuous timesJune 12 2012

By
John R. Smith
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover

First, let me say that, for an explanation of the modern political economy, I defer to another recent book in Morse's Juggernaut: Why the System Crushes the Only People Who Can Save It. While Rosenberg offers a good summary of the conflicting viewpoints, he does not dig very deeply into the mechanics of the implosion, which Morse does par excellence.

With that being said, IMPLOSION still provides an essential argument for our tumultuous times. Not only does Rosenberg give us an excellent (if frightening) survey of our problems, made up mostly of quotes from public figures predicting how precarious our system is and how there is no real way of turning it around. He gives us what most books on this subject do not include--the spiritual perspective.

Rosenberg's key addition is what he calls the third lens, or viewing our times of trouble through Scripture. In the section titled `Sign of the Times,' Rosenberg looks at a list of all the signs that are to predict the coming of the end times including betrayal, lawlessness, a spiritual awakening in Israel, and an increase in mockery of Biblical prophecy. He then goes on to show that this list is almost all but complete.

Without quite making the prediction, Rosenberg then goes on to show exactly what it would mean for us if we were approaching the end times, giving us astute examinations of four likely paths: financial implosion, war and terrorism, natural disaster, and rapture.

Rosenberg gives us more questions than answers, but the exercise is not fruitless. Rosenberg shows us exactly what it would take for people to withstand the disasters that would befall if indeed we are approaching them. The point is for America to avoid being part of the problem, dragging the world into self-destruction, and rather become the "shining city on the hill." And here is where Rosenberg is at his most inspirational. It is here that he shows that despite all the troubles and difficulties, we are still the "last best hope" and can overcome. With a dedicated audience, I tend to think that he's right.

48 of 57 people found the following review helpful

Excellent From A Spiritual StandpointJune 26 2012

By
Bold Consumer
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover
Verified Purchase

I usually don't read the author's books because they are so politically biased. I'm glad I read this one. Most chapters of the book are based on scripture and are excellent! Because of the quality of those chapters, it's worth reading. I honestly believe that the author tried hard not to be obnoxiously extreme far right. I appreciate that. He wasn't successful at his attempt, but it was obvious that he tried. I came away from this book liking the author, even though I disagree with him politically.

I recommend the book.

While it started out like still one more interpretation of what everybody already knows, there's lots of substance to it. He didn't convince me that a Christian has to be a Republican, but as far as the Bible is concerned, he knows his stuff. Excellent book.

To potential readers, I say, don't let political leanings keep you from reading this very excellent book. I believe there is good information here that almost anyone can learn from, as much as the politics annoy me.

25 of 29 people found the following review helpful

This is a great book!June 17 2012

By
Elizabeth Witt
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover
Verified Purchase

Everyone should have to read this book. If you think America is sunk beyond help, you need this book. If you think there is no hope, you need this book. If you are confused about the future and frightened, you need this book. You might just be frightened for the right reasons, and it might spur you to action. American history is woven together with current events to paint an accurate picture of life in the 21st century, but Joel Rosenberg offers hope for us all in the soon return of Jesus. Even if you disagree with him, you need to read this book!

37 of 46 people found the following review helpful

Most material great but some up for debate.July 6 2012

By
Boltach
- Published on Amazon.com

Format: Hardcover

In his most recent book - Implosion, Joel C. Rosenberg gives a sobering and eye-opening view of the many challenges facing the United States today. From the overburden of financial debt all the way to spiritual apathy, America is facing a very tough future. Directly after the sobering facts, Rosenberg then gives the history of the first and second great awakenings that have taken place in the United States. Joel states that America will wither, face or implode and once the daunting and heavy realization sets in, Rosenberg gives a clarion call for repentance back to Jesus both individually and collectively.

As I read the book, I resonated with the following points:

Page 13 - God placed me in this time...what is my role as a US Citizen? Page 44 - Reading the Gettysburg address again, I loved how direct and honorable Lincoln addressed those who died. Page 85 - The account of Israel and Harry Truman; it was a close call with Israel being recognized as a nation. Page 183 - Super Volcano - I have never heard about this in Yellowstone and quite honestly it scares me. Page 215 - Pornography's revenues bring in more than Microsoft, Google, Amazon, eBay, Yahoo!, Apple, and EarthLink combined! I also enjoyed Joel's advice to spend time with your family reading the Bible and praying together. The first and second great awakening I have never been walked through the main people responsible. I enjoyed how Rosenberg showed that these people were human and had faults.

I disagreed with Rosenberg on these points in the book:

Page 164/5 - Joel makes the case for that some are isolationist in the US Senate and that a preemptive strike against Iran is justified. He states that Iran is a threat to Israel, the United States, and should be taken out. I would argue that for a war to be declared, we must declare it by the Constitution. Chapter 10 - Joel states that it is imperative to build the military. This rubs me wrong because the United States is pretty much the police of the world. I think we should reevaluate our presence in the world and assess if it is economically feasible. The Rapture - I am not convinced of the Rapture but Rosenberg states that it is a forgone conclusion. Page 331 - The end of the book, Joel almost makes it seem that since he came to Christ that you should support the Republican Party. The title does not accurately portray the contents of the book, I got the sense that the first part of the book was somewhat fearful and the second half was a sermon.

Overall, the book has some great points and I would score it 6.5 out of 10.

I received a complimentary copy of the book for review purposes from Tyndale House.